ChatGPT in language teaching and learning: Exploring the road we’re travelling

This introduction to the special issue examines the integration of ChatGPT and similar generative AI technologies in language teaching and learning. It examines the rapid evolution of AI tools since 2022, with particular focus on their applications in educational settings and the mixed responses they have generated among educators and learners. While some educators embrace these tools for their potential to automate and enhance instructional tasks, others express concern over issues such as academic integrity, accuracy, and potential job displacement. This special issue explores various perspectives on the use of ChatGPT, including its benefits in providing non-judgmental feedback, aiding material creation, and enhancing language practice, alongside challenges like ethical use, student over-reliance, and the evolving digital literacy demands for both teachers and students. The collection of articles in this special issue seeks to balance the hype with practical insights and offers a framework for understanding the nuanced impacts of generative AI on second language education.